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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Vishwam Sankaran

Inca children drugged with cocaine to keep them calm before being sacrificed, hair and nail study confirms

Roberto H/Unsplash

Inca children who were chosen to be ritually sacrificed were drugged so that they remained calm before their death, a new study of ancient hair and fingernail samples has confirmed.

The human sacrifice, typically of children, known as capacocha, was generally conducted in Incan society to celebrate major events like the birth of a royal, or a battle victory, said the international team of scientists, including those from Peru, Poland, and the US.

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